Cyclists should have identification like number plates so they can be prosecuted, a police boss has said.
Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Katy Bourne said she thought bringing drivers and cyclists to book in an equal way might “make life easier for everybody”.
Oh oh!
Tony Green, of the Brighton and Hove Cycling Campaign, said the idea was “totally unrealistic” for administrative and practical reasons.
Almost as unrealistic as making all motorists declared to be ‘at fault’ in cyclist collisions, Tony? Or are you in favour of that one?
The 67-year-old, of Fiveways, in Brighton, added: “Cyclists are seen as the easy target. I don’t really know what it is, but maybe people think they are getting something for free.”
He added: “I agree there are cyclists who break the law but then ten or one hundred times as many motorists break the law.”
Ah, the ‘But miss, they do it too, and so much worse than us!’ argument that never worked when I was at school…
21 comments:
Number plates, road tax, insurance and driving licences. Bring it on!!!!
The suggestion of a supplemental driving licence with an inferred 'test' lends absurdity to an otherwise decent proposal, Diocles. Good ideas from any plod source are rare enough and no responsible cyclist could oppose this one in principal.
Don't get me wrong here, but cyclist (Or as prefer to call them "Cunts on fucking bikes") are the bane of my life.
That said, do we really need another raft of legislation where HMG can regulate another facet of our lives?
Tax, insurance and licencing were initially brought out for commercial traffic only. Now it's complsory for all motorised vehicles on the road.
They're supposed to bringing in testing and such electric wheelchairs/mobility scooters. I don't ride bikes or mobility scooters, so it doesn't really effect me personally, but where does this shit end?
Before long, we wont be allowed out walking on the streets without being licenced and a certificate of fitness...
Fines for running traffic lights, fines for speeding, fines for lane cutting, fines for breaking all the traffic regulations, loss of driver's licenses when they do and jail time if they cause harm and injury. Bring that one too.
DD Anonymous said...
Fines for running traffic lights, fines for speeding, fines for lane cutting, fines for breaking all the traffic regulations, loss of driver's licenses when they do and jail time if they cause harm and injury. Bring that one too. DD
We have it here already.
"Drunk in charge (NOTE "in charge" NOT neccessarily RIDING) a push bike, and you get bagged (Brethelysed) and if found over the limit, you get points on your DRIVING licence! The same goes for any road traffic offence comitted whilst on, or WITH a bike. Sadly, it does NOT apply to those pricks that think the road is to small, and ride on the pavement. But a well placed kick to the rear wheel normaly puts paid to that sort.
I just wish they would apply it to the idiots the evening before a bank holiday in the local supermarkets, with shopping trolleys.
How about allowing for a trial of voluntary licence plates, preferably luminous, and open season for motorists on all those cyclists who prefer to remain anonymous and unaccountable?
"Number plates, road tax, insurance and driving licences. Bring it on!!!!"
Number plates: In principle a reasonable idea, might help with stolen bikes. In practice not so sure. How big would they be? Could they actually make bikes less safe? Kids bikes? Administration? Cost?
Road Tax: VED? Since bikes would be zero emission, then zero to pay. Again registration and administration costs would be very high for no benefit. Even more so now since motorists no longer have to display a Tax disc.
Insurance: Makes sense both for the cyclist (especially hit and runs) and the motorist. I get insurance free as a benefit of my British cycling membership.
Under the Road Traffic Act 1988 s.36 and the Traffic Signs Regulations and Directions and Directions 2002 regulations 10 and 36(1), road users must not cross the stop line when the traffic lights are red. AFAIK this applies to cyclists. Therefore it is an enforcement issue. The number plate idea would help in identification, however there are those practical difficulties. I believe ASLs have helped and are a way forward.
Sure some cyclists jump the lights, putting themselves and others at risk. This needs better enforcement. The cost of this is high. Would it cut accidents though?
I agree that saying 'they do it too' or 'We have to do this, so should they' is not really useful. I would rather far less restrictions for all. with only the minimum to keep people safe.
I enjoy riding my bike and where I ride (NW London) the motorists are very courteous. (Now cycle lanes arggg....)
Biker here. Moved to Malta seven months ago, after hearing all the horror stories about Maltese driving. It's bad, but not too bad. And great fun. Why the hell can't my fellow bikers be happy with the great deal they've got? We don't pay for petrol, don't pay road tax, aren't obliged to fork out for insurance (although that's not to say that mightn't be a good idea). And we go straight to the head of the queue for the Gozo ferry. It's excellent. So why the hell can't my fellow bikers be satisfied with this, instead of acting like such a bunch of entitled tossers? Very depressing.
Identification number plates - great idea. And also for pedestrians. With a photo of your face as part of it.
You'd put one over your neck to hang down in front, and attach the other to your back. Compulsory when in a public place, optional at home.
Is there still a cycling proficiency test (like to one I took aged 9)? It made me understand the dangers of cars and to have respect for others on the roads. Insurance for cyclists - which should be mandatory - could be much reduced for those with this test, as it is for drivers who have passed the advanced driving test.
@ Furor Teutonicus
Fines for running traffic lights, ...
We have it here already.
I know, but I used to idle through empty pedestrian lights with extreme caution (and indeed, was cautioned once by the Polizist who saw it).
But the maniac who tried to get me at 40 km/h at traffic lights in Frankfurt last week is a different matter. He SAW me. He made me get out of his way. That's a different class of rider.
I detest legislation. Overcoming that hatred just to make the life of ecofags (and the letters page in the Evening Substandard is awash with them) more difficult is a dilemma.
Ultimately, it's easier to get rid of bad bicycle riders than bad legislation.
Ideally, fagriders (those who protest endlessly about cars) should be stripped of their driver's licences.
Let's see how Tony Green gets on when his lumbago flares up or if he has to take his abhorrent, lentil-cooking wife to the hospital. Need as car for that!
I would climax so hard if he accidentally hit a bicycle rider being a tit.
Like a petulant, spoilt widdle girl, Tony Green wants every thing his own way. Bet he wants a pony for Christmas too.
Riding on the pavement in England has been illegal since 1865.
I find a bodycheck does the job, if you get it right, they faceplant into a parked van.
What about MOTs, day riding lights and compulsory minimum type B helmets.
It's true enough about Car Tax. It was to pay for the roads and is now used as another arm of heavy handed abuse by the politicians who changed it without any discussions. It should be based on wear and tear and use so should be taxed for bikes. Maybe later. But MOTs, daylight light, licenses, etc. sound like overkill and I would object but seeing as nothing is improving for me and in the spirit of everyone else who thinks fuck em if it doesn't impact them then I'm all for it.
Where do I sign up for them.
"maybe people think they are getting something for free”
Now I wonder why ever that might occur to anyone?
" must not cross the stop line when the traffic lights are red. AFAIK this applies to cyclists."
It absolutely does apply to cyclists.
It's explicitly mentioned in the "Cyclists" section of the Highway Code.
So is the pavement thing.
One of the great steps forwards promised by Agenda21 is not needing to travel. In fact, not being able to travel, anywhere, at any time, for any purpose without having permission and total surveillance. Now, where is me tin 'at?
"...no responsible cyclist could oppose this one in principal."
And yet...
"That said, do we really need another raft of legislation..."
Good point, but the argument is that if other road users do, why NOT cyclists?
"Road Tax: VED? Since bikes would be zero emission, then zero to pay."
But it's no longer based on emissions...
"Why the hell can't my fellow bikers be happy with the great deal they've got?"
Gawd knows! Some people are just forever looking at someone else & saying 'I want what he's got! But I don't want to have to work for it...'
'And yet'
And yet what? Passionate prejudice has you mouthing without reason again, JuliaM. It spawns a dangerous characteristic in Bull Bars 4 X 4 driving, when it originates from the driver's personal limitations.
Beyond this speculation, the 'color' bashing and cyclist baiting are just tedious reads. I much preferred your now forsaken, but interesting, Art blogs. Perhaps the latter demanded too much effort.
XX Peter MacFarlane said...
" must not cross the stop line when the traffic lights are red. AFAIK this applies to cyclists."
It absolutely does apply to cyclists.
It's explicitly mentioned in the "Cyclists" section of the Highway Code.
So is the pavement thing. XX
"Highway code"?
You can shove it up your fucking ARSE laddie!
The "highway code" has NO LEGAL POWER!!
How many times do the dip shit proletariat need to be TOLD that!!!???
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